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No. The 20 amp breaker is probably protecting a #12 wire. Connecting a 40 amp breaker to the 20 amp #12 wire would seriously overload the #12 wire. This means that if the load increased to a full 40 amps the insulation on the smaller size wire would most likely melt off and the wire could short out.

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Q: Is it ok to exchange a 20 amp breaker with a 40 amp breaker?
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Can you tap into a 40 amp electric range outlet for a 15 or 20 amp wall outlet?

no. the breaker is 40amps.fire hazard


What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?

Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker


What are the standard size circuit breaker amperages?

In North America the standard sizes for breakers are 15, 20, 30, and 40 amps. The 15 amp size breaker is used in general circuit wiring. The 20 amp size breaker is used for dedicated appliance receptacles, hot water tank and baseboard heating. The 30 amp size breaker is used for a clothes dryer. The 40 amp size breaker is used for the electric range.


Can a 40 amp breaker not a 4 amp breaker be used to replace a 35 amp breaker for ac unit?

Depends on the size of the wire going to the A/C. If the wire is AWG #10 you cannot install a 40 amp breaker. If the wire is AWG #8 you can.


Will your spa work with a 40 amp breaker even if it says 50 amp on the plate?

No, because if you switch a 50-amp load on, it will blow a 40-amp circuit breaker if the load exceeds 40 amps, which is likely.


Could you use a 12gauge wire for a 25 amp breaker single pole?

No a #12 wire is only rated for 20 amps. The 40 amp breaker will not protect the #12 wire. A 40 amp breaker should have a #8 wire connected to it which is rated at 45 amps. The only time that a breaker is allowed to be bigger that the wire size rating according to the electrical code is when a motor is connected to the breaker. This is to stop the 300 percent inrush of the motor full load amps from nuisance tripping a smaller sized breaker.


Can you replace your current cooker fuse 30 amp with a 40 amp circuit breaker?

A 30 amp breaker is designed to trip at an earlier point than a larger 40 amp breaker so one appliance that operates on lower amperage level could be unsafe or damaged before it could trip the higher 40 amp breaker. Also, the existing wiring may not be rated for 40 amp service.


What is the difference between a 30 amp and a 40 amp breaker?

10 amps


Can you upgrade a 15 Amps circuit breaker for a 40 Amp for a 8.5 Watt shower?

Not unless you change the wiring for that circuit. The breaker protects the wiring and if you install a 40 amp breaker on a 15 amp wire circuit you will have a fire in your home.


Is a 40 amp circuit breaker ok for a 30 amp air conditioner?

Yes. You should use 8 AWG wire from breaker to AC unit.


What size breaker do you need for a 40 gallon electric water heater?

Usually 30 amp


Can an electric range be powered from the same circuit as an electric dyer?

No. The two appliances usually have dedicated circuits. The range will have a two pole 40 amp breaker and be fed with a 3-C #8 copper cable. The dryer will have a 30 amp two pole breaker and be fed with a 3-C # 10 copper cable. As you can see by powering a 40 amp device from a 30 amp breaker, full operation of the range will trip the 30 amp breaker.